The GPA-DJP and vida trade unions have negotiated a
1.5% pay increase for the 80,000 workers covered by the BAGS collective
agreement for private health and social care workers. The unions emphasize that
the negotiations, taking some months, were tough and the negotiation results
only made possible through the active involvement of works councillors and
other members; on the 14 January action day, for example, 7,500 of them
demonstrated. By 1 February 2010, all wages will be
increased by at least 1.5%, including a floor of Euro 24 implying a 1.86%
increase for the lowest wage scales. Some occupations will be re-graded in
higher scales.